The next ECIA NSW/ACT Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) Managers’ Forum will be held on Thursday 1st March 2018.

The ECI Managers’ Forum will be held at the Portside Centre, Symantec House, Level 5, 207 Kent Street, Sydney.

This forum will include:
· a panel session on Work Health and Safety
· an update on the outcome of the Early Childhood (EC) Partner Tender
· discussion on the key issues, challenges and concerns around transition of Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) Transition Advisors to EC Partners
· updates from the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), ECIA NSW/ACT and ECIA National

Attendance is free for members. Non members are welcome to attend at a cost of $99.

The Inclusion Symposium, Partners in Practice was held on 30 November 2017 and was all about collaboration and exploring innovative ways to improve inclusive practice in the context of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI). The symposium had an interactive format with many opportunities for discussion and networking.

PRESIDENT & CEO REPORT

The major focus for ECIA NSW/ACT over the last financial year has been supporting the sector to implement the Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) Approach and transition into the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Our commitment to inclusion has been pivotal to inform all our supports and services. With inclusion at the forefront, we have worked with the sector to build capacity, promote evidence-based practice and support services to achieve outcomes for children with a developmental delay or disability and their families in their local communities.

ECIA NSW/ACT worked actively with Ageing Disability & Home Care (ADHC) and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to achieve the outcome of the ECEI Transition Provider Approach across NSW. We proudly endorsed an approach that focused on a wide gateway, soft initial supports, referral to mainstream services and the provision of specialised early childhood intervention (ECI) as required.

We recognise the significant work and challenges overcome by our sector over the last year, simultaneously traversing the transition to the NDIS, services have continued to provide funded ECI services. ECIA NSW/ACT has continued to work with other State and Territory Chapters of ECIA and contributed significantly towards the establishment of a single ECIA National organisation that included the CEO taking on the National CEO role for a period of six months. Our Chapter is therefore presenting our last Annual General Meeting (AGM) and will be formally inviting our members to join the National ECIA organisation within the next 6 months.

"The past Board forged the importance of ECI across our state and informed best practice across our nation. We are forever indebted to all past and present Board members and to our magnificent inaugural CEO who over the last three years facilitated the growth of our organisation and has left a legacy to transition into a National model" (Susan MacGillycuddy, President ECIA NSW/ACT).

AGM & ANNUAL REPORT

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held on 30 November 2017 following the Inclusion Symposium.

Nominations were received 8 weeks prior to this AGM for all Board positions:

President: Susan Macgillycuddy
For the position of President there was 1 nomination from Susan Macgillycuddy, who was declared as President.

Vice President: Rani Dibley
For the position of Vice President there was 1 nomination from Rani Dibley, who was declared as Vice President.

Treasurer: SylvanaMahmic
For the position of Treasurer there was 1 nomination from SylvanaMahmic, who was declared as Treasurer.

The (6) named above were declared Non-Executive Board members. No ballot was required as nominations received filled all outgoing vacancies.

Janelle Burke from Dubbo and Robyn Bryce from Orange both retired at this AGM; their contribution to ECI services and to ECIA in NSW over many years was gratefully acknowledged.

Treasurer Report 2017

“I am pleased to report on the Audited Financial Statements for the period ending 30 June 2017. The financial statements, audited by FlavioMeoli of Meoli & Co. Chartered Accountants are now available. ECIA NSW/ACT has had another positive financial year with a surplus of $62,047 achieved through a significant increase in membership and a successful Professional Development program, including the well attended biennial conference” (SylvanaMahmic, ECIA NSW/ACT Treasurer).

On Thursday 25th May 2017, Early Childhood Intervention Australia (ECIA) NSW/ACT presented the Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) Excellence Awards for outstanding achievements in the ECI sector during the ECIA/NSW Conference at the NovotelBrighton Beach, Sydney NSW.

The Excellence Awards were presented on Thursday 25th May 2017 by Margie O’Tarpey, CEO ECIA NSW/ACT during the 2017 Conference, with four awards presented.

Plumtree was announced the winner of “Outstanding family-centred and culturally responsive practice” Read More...

Shaping Outcomes received the award for “Excellent team around the child” Read More...

KU Children’s Services secured their place as the winner of “Advancing practice” Read More...

“This years’ Excellence Awards was highly competitive and recognised the outstanding achievements of service providers in the early childhood intervention and related sectors” said Margie O’Tarpey, CEO ECIA NSW/ACT.

“This important work has contributed to the improvement of the lives of children with a developmental delay or disability, their families and communities. These awards celebrate and acknowledge teams and organisations that demonstrated national best practice in early childhood intervention and excellence, passion, vision and a commitment to assisting children with a developmental delay or disability and their families to achieve their goals. This is a testament to the outstanding work and commitment displayed to improving the capacity of the early childhood intervention sector during this important time of transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)” noted Margie O’Tarpey.

About the 2017 Excellence Awards

Four awards were available at this years’ Excellence Awards, with the category winners demonstrating excellence in their respective area.

Very strong partnerships with families, where family life, family priorities and choices, drive what happens in planning and intervention

Highly responsive practice, which builds on family strengths and assists families to develop their own networks of resources – both informal and formal

Outstanding efforts to provide welcoming and culturally inclusive environments, where all families are encouraged to participate in and contribute to children’s learning and development

Extensive knowledge and deep respect for diversity, demonstrated through flexible services and supports that are responsive to each family’s cultural, ethnic, racial, language and socioeconomic characteristics.

2. Champions of Inclusion

Recognises early childhood intervention services/professionals/teams that have identified and implemented strategies to significantly improve inclusion for children with developmental delay and/or disability and their families:

Sustained inclusive and participatory practice, recognising that every child regardless of their needs has the right to participate fully in their family and community life and to have the same choices, opportunities and experiences as other children

Outstanding commitment to putting in place additional supports for the children to participate meaningfully in their families, community and early childhood settings

The children supported feel accepted and have a real sense of belonging

Exceptional dedication to promoting children’s inclusion through participation in their natural learning environments and daily routines, at home, in the community, and in early childhood settings

Raise awareness and advocate for inclusion of children with developmental delay and/or disability and their families.

3. Excellent team around the child

Recognises early childhood intervention services/professionals/teams that have demonstrated outstanding collaborative and capacity building practice:

Outstanding work relationship with families and professionals as a collaborative and integrated team around the child, communicating and sharing information, knowledge and skills, with one team member nominated as a key worker and main person working with the family

Exceptional contribution to building the capacity of the child, family, professionals and community through coaching and collaborative team work.

4. Advancing practice

Recognises early childhood intervention services/professionals/teams that have demonstrated practice improvement and advancement through:

Innovative intervention strategies that are grounded in research and sound clinical reasoning

Demonstrated continuous improvement and high quality services based on the ECI key best practices

Focus on the outcomes that parents want for their child and family in terms of participation in meaningful activities, and on identifying the skills needed to achieve these outcomes.

The Excellence Awards were presented during the ECIA NSW/ACT Conference on 25-26 May 2017.

About ECIA NSW/ACT

Early Childhood Intervention Australia (ECIA) NSW/ACT is the peak body for early childhood intervention in NSW and the ACT. Formed in 1982, our mission is to promote the awareness and importance of early childhood intervention and inclusion for children with a developmental delay or disability. We represent, support and develop organisations, professionals and practitioners working with young children with a developmental delay or disability, their families and communities.

The 2nd grant round closes at 2pm on Friday 29 September 2017

The Australian Government is inviting applications via an open competitive process to apply to deliver services under the Implementing Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) – ILC National Readiness Grants from 2017-18 to 2018-19. As part of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) National Readiness Grants are designed to make the community more accessible and help increase the independence, social and community participation of people with a disability.

Carers Investment Program

The Department of Family and Community Services (FACS) is providing $5.6m over three years for projects that will improve the well-being of carers in NSW. Carers are people who provide ongoing unpaid support to people who need help because of disability, mental illness, chronic or terminal illness, dementia or frail age.

The Carer Investment Program has evolved from the current Carer Grants program. FACS will continue to invest $1.86m per annum in projects to improve support for carers, with a focus on evidence-based outcomes and alignment with carer priorities identified in the NSW Carers Strategy 2014-19, the NSW Carers (Recognition) Act 2010 and other relevant reforms in the sector.

FACS will consider applications from a wide range of organisations. The Carers Investment Program will have a strong focus on innovation and collaboration.

A two stage procurement process will be used. The first stage will be an Expression of Interest (EOI), open to all interested organisations, open from 28 August to 29 September 2017. Applicants that are successful in the EOI process will then be invited to provide a more detailed proposal. Successful applicants will be identified at the conclusion of the second stage of the procurement process.

How to apply

Click here for further information and to access the application form via the NSW eTender website.

Organisations need to register with eTenders NSW to apply.

The EOI reference is Carers Investment Program - FACS.17.143.

Briefing Session

An information briefing session for the Carers Investment Program will be held on Wednesday 6 September, 2pm at 4-6 Cavill Ave, Ashfield. Please RSVP to carerstrategy@facs.nsw.gov.au by close of business Monday 4 September.

2017 Registrations Now Open!

The 2017 Inclusion Symposium Partners in practice is all about collaboration and exploring innovative ways to improve inclusive practice in the context of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI). The symposium will have an interactive format with many opportunities for discussion and networking.